Contract let, work to begin on Newfound Gap Road

A contract has been awarded to fix Newfound Gap Road where a slide has closed it to thru-traffic.

NATIONAL PARK —

Federal Highways Administration awarded the contract to repair the Newfound Gap Road landslide to Phillips & Jordan Inc. (P&J) of Robinsville, N.C.The contract was awarded for the submitted bid of $3,989,890 with a completion date set at May 15.

P&J will mobilize as early as Friday to begin Phase 2 of the reconstruction project, which will include rebuilding the paved roadway and filling the area washed away during the landslide with crushed stone. The design will allow for the drainage of water which will protect the road and park resources from future damage.

The fill area will be naturally sloped and planted with native seed.

APAC –Atlantic, Harrison Division recently completed Phase 1 of the reconstruction project by developing an access road to the slide area, removing debris, and stabilizing the slope above the work area.

The contract includes a monetary incentive of $18,000 per day for each day of completion prior to May 15, up to a maximum of $500,000 offered jointly by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian and the National Park Service.

In addition to the monetary incentives, the contract also includes monetary disincentives. The contractor will be charged $18,000 per day past May 15.

Newfound Gap Road will remain closed to thru traffic during the construction, but visitors are still able to access the park to Newfound Gap from the Tennessee side and to Collins Creek Picnic Area from the Cherokee entrance.